No one should begin drinking or drink more frequently based on potential health benefits

Up to 1 drink a day for women

Up to 2 drinks a day for men

Don't drink at all if you are under age 21, pregnant or may be pregnant, or have health problems that could be made worse by drinking

If you are drinking too much, you can improve your health by cutting back or quitting.

In a 2014 study of alcohol dependence among US adult drinkers, CDC researchers found that from 2006 through 2010, excessive alcohol consumption accounted for nearly 1 in 10 deaths among working-age US adults aged 20-64.

Here are some strategies to help you cut back or stop drinking:

Limit your drinking to no more than 1 drink a day for women or 2 drinks a day for men.

Keep track of how much you drink.

Choose a day each week when you will not drink.

Don't drink when you are upset.

Limit the amount of alcohol you keep at home.

Avoid places where people drink a lot.

Make a list of reasons not to drink.

If you are concerned about someone else's drinking, offer to help.

New York City has many free and low-cost services for those who wish to quit drinking. You can call New York City’s 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week hotline at 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355) or visit NYC Well online.

Walk-in to any of our clinics and talk to our providers. No appointment is necessary at our clinics and you’ll only wait minutes to be seen. You can call ahead at (855) 9 FOR DOC and let us know you’re on the way or you can check in online.